BGSU Firelands announces $16 million expansion

HURON TOWNSHIP — A $16 million renovation will upgrade the medical training facilities of Bowling Green State University Firelands.
On Dec. 6, the BGSU Board of Trustees approved the necessary design and construction for the Allied Health and Science Project.
It includes a 17,000-square-foot addition of academic space to the campus’ North Building and renovations in 47,000 square feet of current space in the North and West buildings of the Huron Township campus.
“The renovations and expansion will fulfill campus and student needs now and in the immediate future,” said BGSU Firelands Dean Bill Balzer. “This capital investment underscores the college’s commitment to meeting the educational objectives of our students and the need of employers in our region, particularly in the health-related professions.”
Nationally and locally, health care is among the fastest growing and most popular occupational sectors, according to information from the college.
Ten of the 20 fastest growing occupations nationwide are health care vocations. By 2018, the health care industry is expected to generate 3.2 million new jobs, more than any other industry, the college says.
The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission now is seeking qualifications for a construction manager to oversee the renovations.
The branch campus of BGSU has four main buildings and it appeared the project would be one of the largest developments at the college since construction of the Cedar Point Center, the newest building there that opened in 2003.
“Today, a growing need for health professionals provides BGSU Firelands with a strategic opportunity to enhance the core and specialized health curriculum currently offered in this region,” the request for qualifications said.
The campus’ North Building would get a two-story addition of 16,920 square feet and 29,230 square feet of renovated space to accommodate the core science curriculum in support of the Allied Health program. The facility would include space for biology, physics, anatomy and physiology and chemistry.
It also will house a shared active learning design lab for computer science and visual communication technology. There also will be flexible space for the study of electronics, computer science technology and engineering technology, states plans show.
The West Building will have 17,590 square feet of renovated space to accommodate the allied health program spaces including nursing and radiologic technology. There will be a diagnostic medical sonography lab and respiratory lab on the second floor, with the rest of the building having general purpose classrooms and administrative offices, state plans show.
A preliminary schedule could include the construction management services starting in April, with construction contracts beginning in October and finishing by the end of 2015, according to the state plans.
Qualifications for construction management are due Dec. 20. After that the college will issue a request for proposals from short-listed firms.
The construction management proposals could be due Jan. 13, with interviews Jan. 21 and selection in February.
The expansion will be paid for with college reserves, state capital appropriations and private fund raising, the college says.